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How will your site rank with Google Caffeine?
When Google updates, SEOs around the world hold their breath. For websites that rely heavily on their Google SERPs for traffic, an algorithm change can sometimes mean the difference between profitability and the poorhouse.
Google's newest update, named Caffeine, is by all appearances more than just a regular update. Google describes it as a "next-generation architecture for Google's web search".
According to a post yesterday on Google's Webmaster Central blog, Caffeine represents "the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions".
Fortunately for SEOs and webmasters, Google is breaking with tradition and is soliciting feedback from the webmaster community by opening up a preview of the Caffeine update, which can be accessed at http://www2.sandbox.google.com/.
As you can see, there aren't many noticeable changes to the UI. In fact, you probably won't notice much difference at all. According to Google's Matt Cutts, "this update is primarily under the hood" and has involved "rewriting the foundation of some of our infrastructure".
And yes, that means that there will be some changes in site rankings. From my limited initial tests, the impact on rankings seems subtle -- most of the time.
One exception appears to be social web results. For instance, certain high-profile Facebook Pages appear to be receiving a major boost in the rankings with Caffeine. One commenter on the Google Webmaster Central blog also noted "I've noticed more Twitter pages in the results with this version of Google".
When it comes to the latter, Starbucks serves as a good example: through a US proxy, Starbucks' Twitter account appears fifth on the first page in the current Google SERPs; it appears third in the Caffeine preview. While this is a minor shift, I've seen significant shifts with several Facebook Pages, leading me to believe that Google is not only placing increasing emphasis on pages in the social web but is getting better at sorting out which social web results are 'the real deal' and which are spam.
If this proves to be the case across the board, it will be more reason for some to consider the social media SEO link.
Are you noticing any important or interesting changes? Be sure leave comments with your observations. I'd love to hear them!
Photo credit: carrinated via Flickr.
Published 11 August, 2009 by Patricio Robles
Patricio Robles is a tech reporter at Econsultancy. Follow him on Twitter.
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Comments (8)
CoolerDesigns
Apparently Google is trying to achieve some sort of a levarage to Facebook's acquisition of FriendFeed on one hand and Microsoft's merger with Yahoo! on the other hand.
I've tested the SandBox myself, and saw minor changes in the SERPs as well.
And "Yes", unfortunately for all of us SEOs, there are significantly more results from Social Media then we anticipated initially.
We're only hoping that our job won't become totally inessential to the Web world.
over 8 years ago
Alphonse Ha
It only makes sense that Google (finally) gives more importance to social media in their search results. Social Media is too big to be ignored and we all know that there are a lot of relevant content on Social Media platforms.
This is great news for Social Media Marketing! :D
over 8 years ago
Frank@Doubleshot
comparegoogle.com has been helpful in finding difference in search results for the two algorithms. Just put in some keywords and see what changed. Could be helpful for SEO engineers.
over 8 years ago
thinkflex
I guess it largely depends on the search term - I haven't noticed significant search media shifts for the terms I checked.
Frank: comparegoogle seems to be non-existent.
over 8 years ago
Mon
Excellent peice. I am interested in seeing how often the index updates once it's live.
Exciting times to be an SEO!
over 8 years ago
Pat Strader
Little late to this conversation, but great post. This will obviously be very interesting to watch play out. Appears, just on a few random terms I have been throwing into the sandbox, that the "social score" in the algorightm (which Bill Slawski blogged about) is in play.
over 8 years ago
Andy
I came onto this fairly late and only found out about it today. Is there an implementation date for the new algorithm?
I bet there is a load of twitchy retail site owners hoping it won't happen before the big Xmas online shopping push - not a plug, we are not a merchant! :-)
I think the fact that Google's web-devs are engaging with online communities to get feedback is an interesting and much appreciated move.
over 8 years ago
Steak Seasoning
We see some changes in our branding in the restaurant design and window industry. Can't wait to see go into effect, anyone heard of when that will take place?
over 8 years ago